Tips to Help Prevent Identity Theft

Don't be made a victim!

The American
Bankers Association recommends the following:

Don't
give out financial information, such as checking and credit card numbers
-- and especially your Social Security number -- on the phone UNLESS
you initiated the call and know the person or organization you're dealing
with. Don't give that information to any stranger, even one claiming
to be from your bank. [Ed. note: many states are
offering alternative numbers on their drivers license instead of using
the Social Security number.]

Report
lost of stolen checks immediately. Your bank will block payment on the
check numbers involved. Also, review new deliveries of checks to make
sure none has been stolen in transit. [Ed note.
There have been instances where checks have been carefully removed from
"within" the check packets. Be alert to the series numbers
when you are using them.]

Store
canceled checks and new checks in a safe place.

Notify
your banker of suspicious phone inquires such as those asking for account
information to "verify a statement" or "award a prize".

DON'T
THROW AWAY FINANCIAL SOLICITATIONS THAT ARRIVE IN YOUR MAILBOX. TEAR
THEM UP SO THIEVES CAN'T USE THEM TO ASSUME YOUR IDENTITY. Tear up any
other financial documents such as bank statements or invoices before
disposing of them.

Don't
put outgoing mail in or on your mailbox. Drop it into a secure, official
Postal Service collection box. Thieves may use your mail to steal your
identity.

If regular
bills fail to reach you, call the company to find out why. Someone may
have filed a false change of address notice to divert your information
to his or her address.

If your
bills include suspicious items, don't ignore them. Instead, investigate
immediately to head off any possible fraud before it occurs.

Periodically
contact the major reporting companies to review your file and make certain
the information is correct.